Can You Look My Way?

C-1

"I'm not getting any better, huh?" Leo asked his doctor who just came in from getting his lab results from another doctor.

Doctor Kamiya flipped a page on that clipboard he has on his hand, inhaling deeply before shifting his gaze to him. "We told you to stay away from smoke but then again you—"

"I did but it's everywhere!" He interrupted his doctor. "I remember. No smoke or smoking, no alcohol and avoid high on fats food, and spicy one. Was spicy even included?"

Doctor Kamiya needed to facepalm which made Leo plaster a lopsided grin.

"Not funny, Leo. You know it's your lifeline. Yes, you are not getting any better but we are preventing it from getting worse."

"I like your honesty, doctor. Straightforward." He chuckles. "Well, let me know if I have more tests to undergo. I am more than willing to do them."

"If I were to describe you right now in one word, young man, then it's practical."

"What's the use of being in denial? Accept it or not, I still die."

"Everybody does."

"Exactly!" he exclaimed, lowering his head slightly towards Doctor Kamiya. "I have to go. I'm enrolling in my sister's school. Wish me luck, will you?"

"I wish you remember to avoid what you're told to avoid."

Leo cracks a laugh while taking his jacket. He saluted to Doctor Kamiya and went on his way out. Just as he was outside, the shade of sky blue engulfed him from above. Calm, he thought for a second and left.

Every day in his life he needed to be thankful he is still under the sky and not above it. There are countless people who wish they were dead and then there are people like him who wished to have a little more of life. Just a little would be enough for him.

There's one quote that he hears a lot, "Regrets are always in the end". He does not want to regret anything by being scared of the possibility that his condition will worsen. If it does, he decides to accept it. There is no one he is leaving behind and it relieves him.

In the school directress/the president's office, Leo is seated comfortably in front of his sister's desk. They are discussing his enrollment which his sister is against.

"Why now, Clark? What if you have an episode of your drama again?"

"Are you still upset with me for ruining your birthday party? I'm telling you that syndrome is long treated. My doctor confirmed it before I graduated middle school of home school."

"Which doctor? You have so many and I don't like your tone, Clark."

"You never did."

They glared at each other. A sister's glare to her annoying brother, only, Leo wasn't annoying. She's just being a mean sister instead of considering her position as a directress.

"You're lucky we still care for you when all you do is cause us a lot of trouble."

"A natural disaster," he corrected, lazily. "Not my fault for being born. Blame mom and dad for that."

His sister gave him a blank expression, eyelids down halfway. Then she finally rolls her eyes at him, sighing as she reaches for a blue binder. She opens it and flipped through pages.

"There!" She lifted the binder and turned it to him, showing his name. It made Leo smile. "Happy now?"

"That photo, change it. It doesn't look like me." His sister gave a scorn look which he ignored. "So, what's this school all about? Do we follow a system? And why not use the easy way to keep students' profiles? Binders are a hassle."

"We don't practice laziness here. And students can do whatever they want," she said. "Now if you are thinking about being in trouble, I promised mom I would take care of you and only you."

"Now that is unfair to the others. I'd rather you include me in detention."

"Of course! Cause then you would rest your head and arms on the desk and sleep."

"Well, if I am already in then I should get going, yes? I think I've taken up so much of your time."

"You have and you are most welcome to leave." The forced smile on his sister's face made him sneer.

Leo stands up and head to the door, opening it and when he was about to shut it close, he heard his sister say, "It's only you that I'm willing to protect. Remember that."

The very first day of attending a real high school is like a break free in prison for Leo. Almost all his life is spent inside a monotone room left with a teacher, a nurse, his books, and that one window he could look outside for. He doesn't really look outside so much for it only makes his eyes dull looking at those carefree ones. But today, walls are torn and he is sure someone would notice him now.

As Leo walks by an outdoor hallway, he spotted a group of what seemed to be mean girls cornering this nerdy type girl. So, stereotyping exist here, he thought. That's something he had expected being it's his sister's school. But he should not concern himself with these people.

So, Leo continued to take steps. And just when he walked past them, he hears a loud slap that made him turn.

"You really want to get a lifetime free bullying, huh?" one of the girls asked. He saw how the nerdy girl tremble. The people around were like him, focused on what will happen next. "Ugly duckling, Merida Hollyn!"

It wasn't that loud but it rang something in Leo's ear. His eyes were wide, focused on that girl who was covering her face with her arms. Merida Hollyn, he repeated in his head. Could it really be her? The girl he was looking forward to seeing after all those years?